Wireless & Internet Tech

Intel reveals what it claims is the smallest standalone 3G modem in the world-- the XMM 6255, a chip around 300m2 in size designed for networked sensors, wearable devices and other Internet of Things (IoT) applications.

It features a SMART I UE2p transceiver, an Intel design combining transmitter and receiver functionality with an integrated power amplifier and power management on a single chip.

Intel says the design not only allows for a smaller modem, but also protects the radio from overheating, voltage peaks and damage from tough conditions. It also simplifies the design and minimises production costs.

Qualcomm moves forward in WiGig 60GHz wireless technology (aka 802.11ad wifi) adoption with the acquisition of pioneer Wilocity and the announcement of a mobile SoC reference design featuring the technology.

"WiGig will play an important role in Qualcomm's strategy to address consumers' increasingly sophisticated smartphone, tablet and computing requirements," the company says. It does not reveal how much it paid for Wilocity, but its pricetag was reportedly set at around $300 million.

Wilocity is one of the founding members of the 802.11ad working group, and already sells WiGig solutions to Dell and Cisco.

Taiwan's Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) reveals a new streaming technology that solves Internet congestion, especially in dense areas such as stadiums or concerts halls-- and the technology can also be used on high-speed trains.

Similar to broadcasting theory, the Wi-Fi Multicast technology allows 10X more users to use the same amount of bandwidth as provided by typical streaming services.

Wu Cheng-wen, general director of ITRI's Information and Communications Research Laboratories, says their software can change the coding of video data eliminating the need to buy and install new equipment.

ITRI is now talking to potential partners, including cable companies, to transfer the technology for business use. The technology could solve the growing demand for online video sharing and viewing.

The Bluetooth standard receives a couple of improvements promising more useful devices-- the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) updates it to version 4.1, and Broadcom combines it with wireless charging on a single SoC.

Bluetooth 4.1 allows for devices able to "remember" lost connections for longer, with automatic reconnection as soon as devices are in range. It improves on the coexistance of Bluetooth and LTE radios on the device, and adds bulk data transfer capability.

Devices running the updated standard will also be able to run as both peripheral and hub-- the Bluetooth SIG gives the example of a smartwatch acting as a hub by gathering information from a heart rate monitor while simultaneously acting as a peripheral as it pushes notifications to a smartphone.

For the future the Bluetooth SIG plans to add IP connectivity-- allowing devices to communicate over IPv6 via Bluetooth radios to create a "fundamental wireless link" in the so-called Internet of Things.

Ideal for customers wanting 802.11b/g/n connectivity in hotel rooms, conference centres or boardrooms, the portable router fits over iPad wall chargers and includes a pass-through USB port to charge devices while in use.

Belkin announces an addition to the Mixit DuraTek durable cable line-- a USB-C cable featuring Kevlar-reinforced conductors and double-braided nylon shielding on the outside.
The USB-C cable is certified by both...

Snap-- aka the rebranded Snapchat-- announces the Spectacles, its video-recording sunglasses, are now available in Europe, 7 months after an initial US launch.
For the unfamiliar, the Spectacles are a pair...